How to prepare and file your own Dutch income tax return(s)

It is possible and often not too hard to file your own income tax return. If you lived in the Netherlands the entire year and you just had employment income, filing an income tax return is often not even required. 

On the website of the Dutch tax authorities, belastingdienst.nl, you can log in with your Digid login details and open their income tax return preparation tool. This tool is usually available as of March 1 of the year following to the concerning tax year. In the tool, you can download information that the Dutch tax authorities have in their records (from employers, financial institutions, local authorities etc.) the so called VIA or "Vooraf ingevulde Informatie". 

Information that the Dutch tax authorities have in their files, will usually (not always) fill in the data in the correct sections automatically. Note that in the VIA, not all  information is available, just information from organizations who report to the Dutch tax authorities (employers, financial institutions, local authorities). Examples of information that will not show in the VIA:

- freelance income;
- profit on sole proprietorship/entrepreneurship;
- information with respect to personal deductions; 
- tax deductible (mortgage) expenses for purchase (or improvement) of your principal residence;
- foreign income;
- non-Dutch savings and investments;
- other investments (crypto, investment art, classic vehicles, commodities);
- cash.

- if you have income that is taxed in another country based on a Tax Treaty, double taxation relief is also not automatically filled in.

Any missing items can be added and if all is reported in the program, you can file your own Dutch income tax return with the Dutch tax authorities electronically.

If you have doubts, it may make sense to get an expert involved. Besides normal income tax return service we offer guidance meetings, in which you basically file your own return via the belastingdienst.nl website. In the process we can answer questions and explain the most relevant income tax basics. 

That way you can learn what is relevant and how to file your own return(s) in future years. 

Feel free to contact us in case you have questions.

We hebben je toestemming nodig om de vertalingen te laden

Om de inhoud van de website te vertalen gebruiken we een externe dienstverlener, die mogelijk gegevens over je activiteiten verzamelt. Lees het privacybeleid van de dienst en accepteer dit, om de vertalingen te bekijken.